Built-in television timer and locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

A timer mechanism is supported relative to the television cabinet for controlling the operational circuitry of the television, whereby the duration of television operation is controlled by the timer. Means are provided for locking the timer after it is set to preclude readjustment thereof without unlocking the same, and a timer bypass switch may be used to enable normal television operation without the timer.

1 Apr. 22, 1975 United States Patent [1 1 Leone 200/38 FB 340/3094 X200/38 FB 307/141 X 200/33 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS t. mmmm CnhS b CCM IIHBHO uuoe WKRNL 900 4 67777 99999 11111 WUUSW 28 99 34AI 74607 [22] Filed:

812,567 4/1959 United Kingdom..................... 70/78 RelatedApplication Dam Primary Exambur-James R. Scott Continuation-impart ofScr. No. 361,450. May 18. 1973. Pat. No. 3,833,779

Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Donnelly, Maky. Renner & Otto justment thereofwithout unlocking the same. and a timer bypass switch may be used toenable normal television operation without the timer.

10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures iiii Ilmlll [5 6] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,441,864 5/1948 Baucr........... I 70/286 X 3.293.58812/1966 Blonder 339/37 3388308 6/1968 Fontainc 200/38 FB X BUILT-INTELEVISION TIMER AND LOCKING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thispatent application is a continuation-in-part of' my copending pate'ntappli'cati'on Ser. No. 361.450. filed May 18. 1973. now UIS. Pat. No.3.833.779 for Television Timer to Regulate Television Viewing Time.

This invention relates to a timer for controlling operation of atelevision. and more particularly relates to such a timer locatedrelative to the cabinet of a television and preferably built into thesame.

As indicated in my copending patent application. electrical appliances.such as. for example. televisions and the like. while often providing asource of entertainment and educational information. tend to becomeaddictive, especially to children. Therefore. a television viewer mayspend large amounts of time gazing at the television to the detriment ofmore important tasks. Moreover. television has become a source ofarguments between parents and children. the latter desiring to extendtheir viewing time while the former preferring a more constructive usageof time.

Although coin-controlled televisions have been used in the past. suchprior art devices are not usually built into the television. Moreover.such devices are not intended for easy adjustment of variable televisionoperating durations. nor do they provide for operator control thereof.

In the instant invention means are provided for absolute control ofoperational time of a television. or the like. whereby such appliance iscapable of energization only under the control of the timer mechanism.Thus. in one embodiment the timer is connected between the mainelectrical power cord to the t'elevisionand the operational circuitrythereof to control potential energization of the latter for respectivedurations set on the timer dial. Alternatively. the timer may beconnected to the operational circuitry of the television to otherwisepreclude partial or complete energization thereof unless the timeritself is running or it may be connected in electrical series with thetelevision on-off switch. In either embodiment. when the time set on thetimer dial expires. the television will be tie-energized. A mechanismfor locking the timer. either by precluding access to the same or bylocking the adjustable dial thereof. prevents adjustment of the dial inthe duration set thereon unless such locking mechanism is unlocked.Moreover. if desired. a bypass switch may be provided for bypassing thetimer circuit to permit normal television operation under the control ofthe conventional on-off switch thereof. such bypass switch also beingcapable of locking by the aforementioned locking mechamsm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly. a primaryobject of the inventionis to provide a television control improved in the'noted re spect. I

Another object of the invention is to provide for absolute control oftelevision operating time.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a built-in controlfor absolute control of television operating time. I 4

A further object of the invention is to provide a builtin timermechanism for absolute control of operating time of the televisionincluding a means for locking such timer mechanism and a means forbypassing the timer mechanism circuitry.

Still another object of the'invention is to provide a built-in means tocontrol operational time of the television while preventing theadjustment of such time duration.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends. the invention.then. comprises the features hereinafter fully described. the followingdescription and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certainillustrative embodiments of the invention. these being indicative.however. of but several of the various ways in which the principles ofthe invention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the annexed drawing:

FIG. I is an isometric view. partially broken away. of a portion of atelevision cabinet having a timer located in the side thereof; and

FIG. 2 is an isometric view ofa portion of a television cabinet having atimer mechanism in the front thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS vision cabinet. is theconventional operational circuitry 9 for the television. which normallyeffects production of a pictorial display on the viewing screen 3 inresponse to a power input and an input either from an antenna or from acable system. The power input is conventionally provided from anexternal source. such as. forexample. a conventional electrical outletto which the pigtail 7 of the main electric power cord 8 isconnected.

A timer compartment 10 has an access opening 11 located in the side faceor wall 12 of the television cabinet. and a conventional timer.mechanism. such as an electric or spring operated timer that opens andcloses one or more pairs of electric contacts. generally indicated at 13is positioned within such compartment. The access opening 11 of thecompartment 10 is closed by a door 14 attached. for example. to thetelevision cabinet by a piano hinge 15, and a locking mechanismgenerally indicated at 16 may be used to lock the door in closedposition to preclude access to the timer. The timer 13 also may includea timer bypass switch 17, if desired." I

The locking mechanism 16 includes a conventional key typ'e lock 20having a removable key 21 for operating a latch member 22. The latchmember may be turned by the key to lock behind a latching bar 23 formedeither as a separateelernent. not shown. or by the interior surface ofthe side face 12 of the television cabinet.

The timer mechanism 13 is a conventional device and may be operatedelectrically from the power supplied on the electric power cord 8, or,alternatively.

may be attached to the television cabinet by support screws 25. Thefront face of the timer 13 includes a time indicating dial 26.calibrated. for example. in hours. and an adjustable time settingmechanism 27,

which may be adjusted to determine the actual time and length of theduration for which a connection is made by the timer between theelectric power cord 8 and the controlled power lead 28 connected. forexample. from the timer via the on-off switch to the operationalcircuitry 9 of the television.

The timer bypass switch 17 is located adjacent the timer mechanism 13and may be either a part thereof ora separate element for bypassing thetimer circuitry if desired. to open and to close the electric contactstherein. Thus. when the timer bypass switch is set. for example. to theon" position. the only connection between the electric power cord 8 andthe controlled power lead 28 can be made through the timer circuitryitself; and by setting such bypass switch to the off position. a directconnection is made between such electric power cord and controlled powerlead bypassing the timer circuitry in one method of operating thetelevision since the on-off switch 5 is in series with the controlledpower lead 28 and the operational circuitry 9, whenever a connection isprovided by the timer or timer bypass switch to the controlled powerlead. the on-off switch may be or may have previously been manuallyturned to the on condition turning on the television.

Turning now more particularly to FIG. 2. the televi sion 30 includes atelevision cabinet 31 with a viewing screen 3 located in the front face32 thereof. A timer compartment 33 having an access opening 34 closed bya door 35 is located in the front face 32 of the television cabinet 31.A timer mechanism 13, similar to the timer mechanism discussed above. islocated within the timer compartment 33, and such timer mechanism has aninput from the television electric power cord 8 and an output providedon the controlled power lead 28. which is preferably connected toprovide for energization of the television operational circuitry. notshown.

The locking mechanism 36 includes a combination lock 37 having anadjustable dial 38 and a relatively fixed scale 39. The latch member.not shown. maybe operated by movement of the scale member 39 after thecombination has firstbeen properly operated by manipulation of the dial38, or. alternatively. a separate latch member operating handle may beprovided to operate the latch member after the combination has beenproperly operated.

i Although in the above two embodiments of the invention the timer ispreferably located entirely interiorly of. the television cabinet and iscapable of being locked after adjustment by the closing and locking ofthe timer compartment doom-an alternative arrangement could easily bemade. whereby the timer; dial is always accessible. although beingoperable only when either a key type or combination type lock isproperly operated. ln such modification the timer dialand settingmechanism may be accessibly located on either the front or side face ofthe television cabinet with the locking mechanism therefor beingpreferably proximately located thereto. 1 I

Although conventional timers usually have sufficient capacity to handlethe normal voltages and currents required by televisions. it may bedesirable to utilize low voltage controls. In such an arrangement, thepower from an electrical receptacle may be applied through .thetelevision pigtail 7 to the operational circuitry thereof. and aconventional low voltage control circuit may be located in the latterbeing operably controlled by the timermechanism 13. Alternatively. thetimer mechanism 13 may be locatedin series connection with thetelevision on-off switch 5.

ln operation of the television under absolute control of the timermechanism l3, the timer bypass switch is set in the on position. and thetimer setting mechanism 27 is adjusted to a given time indicated on thedial 26 to provide a duration for which the television may be operatedby the on-off switch 5. The door 14 to the timer compartment 10 may thenbe closed and locked by either the key lock 20 or the combination lock37, and in the former case the key is preferably removed. Thus. accessto the timer mechanism 13 is precluded, and at the expiration of thetime set thereon the television will be deenergized and will not be ableto be operated until the access door is unlocked and opened and eitherthe timer mechanism is reset or the timer bypass switch 17 is set to theoff position. When the timer mechanism 13 is operating. a connection isprovided between the electric power cord 8 and the controlled power lead28 by electric contacts in the timer. and the duration of suchconnection is determined by the time set on the timer. Such connectionmay also be made by setting the bypass switch 17 to the of position. Thetelevision is then potentially operable as determined by the position ofthe on-off switch 5, assuming that the pigtail 7 is plugged into aconventional electrical receptacle.

Although the timer mechanism 13 in the timer compartment 10 isillustrated as a single timer having an hourly scale. such timer mayalternatively be a conventional 24 hour timer having one or moreelements for making and disconnecting the connection between theelectrical power cord 8 and controlled power lead 28. Moreover. pluraltimers may be used in order to energize and to de-energize thetelevision operational circuitry at the times desired.

lt should now be understood that the instant invention provides forabsolute control of television viewing time by an adjustable built intimer which is capable of being easily locked. for example, by theviewers parent.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. ln a television including a cabinet housing operational circuitryresponsive to electric power supplied on an input power cord from anexternal source and a viewing screen on which a pictorial display isnormally produced by said operational circuitry. the improvementcomprising:

means for absolute control of such television to determine the lengthand time of the duration of potential television operation, includingtimer means for providing an electrical connection between saidoperational circuitry and said input power cord for energization of theformer when the latter is connected to such external source to effectnormally production of such pictorial display on said viewing screen,the length and time of the du- 5 ration of such energization beingadjustably controlled by setting of said timer means.

meansfor mounting said timer means in a relatively fixed position withrespect to said cabinet to provide readily for accessability to saidtimer means for setting thereof. and

adjustable means for locking said timer means to preclude settingthereof. said adjustable means including a lock capable of selectiveadjustment to a first condition precluding setting of said timer meansand a second condition permitting setting of said timer means.

whereby when said timer means is set for a duration of a specific lengthto occur at a specific time and locked and the input power cord iscoupled to a source of electric energy. the television is potentiallyoperable only for the duration which the timer means provides saidconnection for energization of said operational circuitry.

2. The device of claim 1. wherein said cabinet includes a compartmenthaving an access opening. a door attached to said cabinet. said doorbeing adjustable between an open position permitting access to saidtimer compartment and a closed position precluding access to said timercompartment. said timer means being located in said timer compartment.and said adjustable means for locking comprising a lock for locking saiddoor in closed position.

3. .The device of claim 2, wherein said lock comprises a key lock.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a latching bar cooperatingwith a latching member of said lock to secure said door in closedposition.

5. The device of claim 2. wherein said lock comprises a combinationlock.

6. The device of claim 2., wherein said access opening for saidcompartment is located in a side wall of said cabinet.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein said access opening for saidcompartment is located in the front wall of said cabinet.

8. The device of claim I, wherein said television operational circuitryincludes an on-off switch. and said timer means is connected inelectrical series with said on-off switch,

9. The device of claim I. wherein said timer is connected in electricalseries between said input power cord and said operational circuitry toprovide a direct connection therebetween.

10. The device of claim 1. further comprising a bypass switch forbypassing the circuitry of said timer means.

* l tk

1. In a television including a cabinet housing operational circuitry responsive to electric power supplied on an input power cord from an external source and a viewing screen on which a pictorial display is normally produced by said operational circuitry, the improvement comprising: means for absolute control of such television to determine the length and time of the duration of potential television operation, including timer means for providing an electrical connection between said operational circuitry and said input power cord for energization of the former when the latter is connected to such external source to effect normally production of such pictorial display on said viewing screen, the length and time of the duration of such energization being adjustably controlled by setting of said timer means; means for mounting said timer means in a relatively fixed position with respect to said cabinet to provide readily for accessability to said timer means for setting thereof, and adjustable means for locking said timer means to preclude setting thereof, said adjustable means including a lock capable of selective adjustment to a first condition precluding setting of said timer means and a second condition permitting setting of said timer means, whereby when said timer means is set for a duration of a specific length to occur at a specific time and locked and the input power cord is coupled to a source of electric energy, the television is potentially operable only for the duration which the timer means provides said connection for energization of said operational circuitry.
 1. In a television including a cabinet housing operational circuitry responsive to electric power supplied on an input power cord from an external source and a viewing screen on which a pictorial display is normally produced by said operational circuitry, the improvement comprising: means for absolute control of such television to determine the length and time of the duration of potential television operation, including timer means for providing an electrical connection between said operational circuitry and said input power cord for energization of the former when the latter is connected to such external source to effect normally production of such pictorial display on said viewing screen, the length and time of the duration of such energization being adjustably controlled by setting of said timer means; means for mounting said timer means in a relatively fixed position with respect to said cabinet to provide readily for accessability to said timer means for setting thereof, and adjustable means for locking said timer means to preclude setting thereof, said adjustable means including a lock capable of selective adjustment to a first condition precluding setting of said timer means and a second condition permitting setting of said timer means, whereby when said timer means is set for a duration of a specific length to occur at a specific time and locked and the input power cord is coupled to a source of electric energy, the television is potentially operable only for the duration which the timer means provides said connection for energization of said operational circuitry.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said cabinet includes a compartment having an access opening, a door attached to said cabinet, said door being adjustable between an open position permitting access to said timer compartment and a closed position precluding access to said timer compartment, said timer means being located in said timer compartment, and said adjustable means for locking comprising a lock for locking said door in closed position.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein said lock comprises a key lock.
 4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a latching bar cooperating with a latching member of said lock to secure said door in closed position.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein said lock comprises a combination lock.
 6. The device of claim 2, wherein said access openiNg for said compartment is located in a side wall of said cabinet.
 7. The device of claim 2, wherein said access opening for said compartment is located in the front wall of said cabinet.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said television operational circuitry includes an on-off switch, and said timer means is connected in electrical series with said on-off switch.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said timer is connected in electrical series between said input power cord and said operational circuitry to provide a direct connection therebetween. 